2011 Snake River Birds of Prey Festival Soars into May
BOISE, Idaho- Southwest Idaho is a region filled with adventures and one-of-a-kind experiences for travelers. May 13-15, 2011 the 3rd Annual Snake River Birds of Prey Festival will provide the unique opportunity to learn about the region’s dense populations of birds of prey through field trips, lectures, tours, exhibits, guest speakers, demonstrations, and interactive activities. Festival headquarters will be Reed Elementary School in Kuna, Idaho, approximately 20 miles south of Boise.
Festival event highlights include float and paddle trips along part of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, wildlife photography lectures, falconry demonstrations, raptor banding, interactive field lectures to see burrowing owl and Golden Eagle nesting areas, a historic tour of Southwest Idaho, and a barbeque banquet with keynote speaker Leon Powers. Families with younger children will particularly enjoy a movie night with live raptors, numerous educational booths, crafts and origami, special children’s activities and projects, and a youth art contest. Many lectures will include live animals and demonstrations, offering the chance to experience birds of prey up close.
According to the festival’s website, the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area “was established to protect a unique environment that supports one of the world’s densest concentrations of nesting birds of prey.” The area includes 600,000 acres and 24 species of nesting and migrating birds of prey.
Nearby, Boise is home to the World Center for Birds of Prey. Year round visitors can learn about birds of prey from the area and around the world. Educational programs, behind the scenes tours, and volunteer opportunities are available. Birds of prey include falcons, eagles, hawks, condors, and owls.